ACHS Firmly Believes in Protecting Wisconsin Animals


​Report Animal Abuse & Neglect

If you believe an animal is being abused or neglected, please call the Adam's County Sheriff's Department at 608-339-3304.  Unfortunately, ACHS does not have an Animal Control Officer and has no authority to investigate abuse and neglect cases. We will care for an animal that a deputy removes from a bad situation.  ​

PETA - PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS

If you believe an animal is in danger, please call the Adams County Sheriff's Office at 608-339-3304.

If they do not respond
​or are unwilling to help, please immediately call PETA at 757-622-7382.

Click Here for the PETA Online Form to Report Cruelty to Animals

Animal neglect and cruelty is considered a misdemeanor crime in all 50 states. Contact the Adams County Sheriff's Department to report neglect and abuse. 

 
​Wisconsin State Statutes Chapter 951

 951.02  Mistreating animals. No person may treat any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner. This section does not prohibit normal and accepted veterinary practices.

Conviction under this section does not require proof of intent or negligence. State v. Stanfield, 105 Wis. 2d 553, 314 N.W.2d 339 (1982).
“Animal" in this section includes non-captive wild animals, such as the deer in this case. State v. Kuenzi, 2011 WI App 30, 332 Wis. 2d 297, 796 N.W.2d 222, 09-1827.

​951.14  Providing proper shelter. No person owning or responsible for confining or impounding any animal may fail to provide the animal with proper shelter as prescribed in this section. In the case of farm animals, nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing shelter requirements or standards more stringent than normally accepted husbandry practices in the particular county where the animal or shelter is located.
(1) Indoor standards. Minimum indoor standards of shelter shall include:
(a) Ambient temperatures. The ambient temperature shall be compatible with the health of the animal.
(b) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities shall be adequately ventilated by natural or mechanical means to provide for the health of the animals at all times.
(2) Outdoor standards. Minimum outdoor standards of shelter shall include:
(a) Shelter from sunlight. When sunlight is likely to cause heat exhaustion of an animal tied or caged outside, sufficient shade by natural or artificial means shall be provided to protect the animal from direct sunlight. As used in this paragraph, “caged" does not include farm fencing used to confine farm animals.
(b) Shelter from inclement weather.
1. `Animals generally.' Natural or artificial shelter appropriate to the local climatic conditions for the species concerned shall be provided as necessary for the health of the animal.
2. `Dogs.' If a dog is tied or confined unattended outdoors under weather conditions which adversely affect the health of the dog, a shelter of suitable size to accommodate the dog shall be provided.
(3) Space standards. Minimum space requirements for both indoor and outdoor enclosures shall include:
(a) Structural strength. The housing facilities shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury and to contain the animals.
(b) Space requirements. Enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow each animal adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of debility, stress or abnormal behavior patterns.
(4) Sanitation standards. Minimum standards of sanitation for both indoor and outdoor enclosures shall include periodic cleaning to remove excreta and other waste materials, dirt and trash so as to minimize health hazards.

951.15  Abandoning animals. No person may abandon any animal.

951.18  Penalties.
(1)  Any person violating s. 951.02, 951.025, 951.03, 951.04, 951.05, 951.06, 951.07, 951.09, 951.10, 951.11, 951.13, 951.14 or 951.15 is subject to a Class C forfeiture. Any person who violates any of these provisions within 3 years after a humane officer issues an abatement order under s. 173.11 prohibiting the violation of that provision is subject to a Class A forfeiture. Any person who intentionally or negligently violates any of those sections is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Any person who intentionally violates s. 951.02, resulting in the mutilation, disfigurement or death of an animal, is guilty of a Class I felony. Any person who intentionally violates s. 951.02 or 951.06, knowing that the animal that is the victim is used by a law enforcement agency to perform agency functions or duties and causing injury to the animal, is guilty of a Class I felony.